Financial matters relating to Pakistan Navy were discussed during the meeting.

Ishaq Dar said as always, the government will ensure that the requisite financial requirements for the upcoming fiscal year of all armed forces, including Pakistan Navy, are fully catered for.

He said the armed forces are performing their duties valiantly by safeguarding Pakistan’s borders and fighting the menace of militancy and terrorism.

PAK-RUSSIA

Pakistan has invited Russian investors to take advantage of its inevestment friendly policies, especially in auto sector.

Talking to Russian Minister for Industry and Trade Denis Manturov at Saint Petersburg, Minister for Industries and Production Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi said Pakistan desires to open new vistas of cooperation with Russia.

Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi apprised the Russian Minister about China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Project and political and economic stability in Pakistan.

MOTORWAY

The federal government has approved construction of a motorway between Kohat and Dera Ismail Khan.

According to the National Highway Authority, the fifty kilometers long motorway will be completed at a cost of thirteen billion rupees in next three years.

In addition to this, Sarai Gambila-Kohat section of the Indus Highway will also be reconstructed and widened.

At present, the Indus Highway is a one-lane road. Three more lanes will be constructed to make it a four-lane highway.

In a statement, he said record funds have been allocated for development of rural and urban areas.

The Chief Minister said historic resources have been earmarked for raising living standard of people of southern Punjab.

He said special attention has been paid to provision of education, health, potable water and development of other sectors.

He said this budget guarantees sustainable development, strong economy and a comprehensive programme has been evolved for industrial and agriculture development.

SINDH-BUDGET

Sindh budget for the next fiscal year will be presented in the provincial assembly tomorrow.

KHATTAK

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak says peace has been restored in the region due to sacrifices of security forces.

Talking to newsmen in Nowshehra, he said successful operations Radd-ul Fasad and Zarb-e-Azab have restored the confidence of foreign investors.

TDPs

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has handed over relief goods to FATA Disaster Management Authority for distribution among Temporarily Displaced Persons of North and South Waziristan agencies.

A spokesman of FATA Disaster Management Authority told Radio Pakistan Peshawar correspondent that the goods include four thousand tents, eight thousand plastic sheets and other necessary items.

Meanwhile, ninety seven percent TDPs of North and South Waziristan agencies have returned to their native areas.

The spokesman said the remaining TDPs will be sent back to their homes within the next three months.

BASIT

Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit says dialogue between Pakistan and India is the only way to move forward for resolution of long-standing issues.

In an interview with an Indian TV Channel, he said the issues between the two countries can only be resolved through talks.

About Indian spy Kulbhushan Yadav, the high commissioner said he had been convicted for espionage and appeal was submitted to appellate court on his behalf.

He said Kulbhushan Yadav had confessed all wrongdoings and Pakistan is confident that he had been involved in subversive activities.

About Arab-led Islamic military alliance, he said Pakistan's effort will become a bridge between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

FIRING

Pakistan Army has befittingly responded to Indian forces' unprovoked ceasefire violations at Tatta Pani on the Line of Control.

In a tweet message, the DG ISPR said five Indian soldiers were killed and many others injured in retaliatory action.

He said several Indian bunkers were also destroyed.

FO

Pakistan has strongly condemned terrorist attack at a funeral in Kabul, resulting in loss of numerous innocent lives.

In a statement, Foreign Office spokesman said the government and the people of Pakistan express their heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the government and the people of Afghanistan and to the bereaved families in the hour of grief.

He said Pakistan stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its Afghan brethren in their anguish and mourning.

LONDON

In London, two persons have died and several others injured in three separate incidents of violence.

According to British police, a van ploughed into pedestrians on London Bridge; whereas there were multiple incidents of stabbings in the nearby Borough Market area. Intensive search for three armed men is under way after the incident in the London Bridge area.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has termed the incidents as potential act of terrorism and convened a high level security meeting today.

YEMEN

In Yemen, cholera outbreak is spreading quickly as 3,000 to 5,000 new cases are being reported daily.

The Middle East director UNICEF said in an interview that 70,000 suspected cases of cholera have been reported in the past month. He voiced concern that cholera cases could double every two weeks and the epidemic could spread beyond country's borders unless more aid is delivered.

IRAQ

In Iraq, dozens of civilians have been killed in the past two days while fleeing an Islamic State group-held neighborhood in Mosul.

The dead bodies of men, women and children are lying around the road leading out of the Zanjili district, which is still in the hands of Islamic State militants in Mosul.

CRICKET

In the ICC Champions Trophy, Pakistan will take on their arch rivals India at Birmingham today.

The match will start at 2:30 pm Pakistan Standard Time.

DG-MET

The current intense heat wave will continue to prevail across the country for the next two days.

Talking to Radio Pakistan, Director General Pakistan Meteorological Department Dr. Ghulam Rasool said fresh weather system carrying rain and thunderstorm will enter Pakistan on Tuesday, and it will bring respite from the sizzling heat.

WEATHER

Mainly hot and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country during the next twelve hours.

However, very hot weather is likely to prevail over upper Sindh and its adjoining areas of Balochistan, plain areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.